Map data based on J.-P. Boudot & V. J. Kalkman (eds.),Atlas of the European Dragonflies and Damselflies

General

• a very large species which occurs mainly in south-western Europe

Classification

• suborder: Anisoptera (dragonflies); family: Aeshnidae

Conservation status

• IUCN Red List Europe: Least Concern

Scientific name

• Boyeria irene (Fonscolombe, 1838)

Distribution

• click or tap the Map button above

Notes

• males zigzag low over the water, meticulously checking every nook and cranny in the river bank for ovipositing females

• females may enter holes or gaps in the river bank to spend upwards of an hour ovipositing in the roots of plants and trees

• aeshnids are 'fliers': they spend a lot of time on the wing and seldom hang up for a rest

• because of their perfectly camouflaged colouration of brown, green and beige, animals at rest may be difficult to spot

• when they do rest, they hang up on large, shady, vertical surfaces (e.g. tree trunks and rocks) which match their colouration, or on twigs and branches with overhanging leaves; in either case direct sunlight is carefully avoided

Habitat

• streams and rivers with plants and trees whose roots are directly over the water, but also at large lakes and reservoirs

Dimensions

• typical body length: 63-71 mm; hindwing: 39-45 mm

Both sexes

Head

• in mature animals the eyes are green; in immature animals they are brown

Thorax

➤ the colouration on the thorax is a mix of mottled browns and greens

Abdomen

➤ the colouration on the abdomen is a mix of mottled browns and greens